Autism-linked protein lays groundwork for healthy brain

IMAGE: The autism-linked protein MDGA1 (red) is found in the zones of the brain that give rise to new neurons (green).
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Credit: Salk Institute

LA JOLLA--A gene linked to mental disorders helps lays the foundation for a crucial brain structure during prenatal development, according to Salk Institute research published January 14, 2016 in Cell Reports.

The findings reveal new mechanistic insights into the gene, known as MDGA1, which may bring a better understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders in people, says Carlos Perez-Garcia, the study's lead author and a staff researcher in the laboratory of Professor Dennis O'Leary, holder of the Vincent J. Coates Chair in Molecular Neurobiology.

Signs of autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder often take years to manifest. Studying suspect disease genes in the brain early in life could prove valuable in the development of new treatments or interventions.

More than a decade ago, O'Leary's group discovered MDGA1, which codes for a protein that influences neuron migration in the developing brain. Coating the outer surfaces of neurons, MDGA1 is particularly abundant in the cerebral cortex, a six-layered area of the brain needed to process information from the five senses and coordinate movement, as well as to be self-aware and plan ahead.

As the lab was investigating the role of MDGA1 in brain development, other research groups published large population-based studies implicating the gene in autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. "The human data brought a whole new level of meaning to our work," says Perez-Garcia. "It allowed us to consider our findings in the context of human disease."

The team decided to look at the protein's role in early brain development, when the foundation of a proper, six-layer cortex is being laid. When Perez-Garcia disabled the gene in mice a little more than halfway through pregnancy, to his surprise, the neuron precursors in the cerebral cortex migrated to the wrong places in the brain. These cells die off before they can become neurons and, overall, without MDGA1, the cerebral cortex loses about half its neurons.

These new results suggest that mutations in MDGA1 while the cortex is developing (during the first half of pregnancy in humans) could produce snowball effects leading to the development of brain disorders. The severe depletion of neurons in the cortex strongly compromises its ability to communicate with other brain areas, says Perez-Garcia.

More experiments by the group revealed what happens when MDGA1 is mutated: It prevents neuron precursors from sticking to one another, which is critical for those cells to divide and generate neurons.

The lab plans to continue to examine the role of MDGA1 earlier in development and also during adulthood, as well as assess behaviors of mice lacking the gene.

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The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

About the Salk Institute for Biological Studies:

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is one of the world's preeminent basic research institutions, where internationally renowned faculty probes fundamental life science questions in a unique, collaborative and creative environment. Focused both on discovery and on mentoring future generations of researchers, Salk scientists make groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of cancer, aging, Alzheimer's, diabetes and infectious diseases by studying neuroscience, genetics, cell and plant biology and related disciplines.

Faculty achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including Nobel Prizes and memberships in the National Academy of Sciences. Founded in 1960 by polio vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk, MD, the Institute is an independent nonprofit organization and architectural landmark.

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